Photoprotective and photorepair action of marine angiosperm extracts, Thalassia testudinum Banks ex Konig (Hyrocharitacea) and Syringodium filiforme Kutzing (Cymodoceaceae)

Previous studies with the aqueous-ethanol extracts obtained from the marine angiosperms T. testudinum and S. filiforme have shown their high polyphenolic content and marked antioxidant capacity. This study describes the effects of the topical application of the aqueous-ethanol extracts of T. testudinum and S. filiforme leaves against acute UVB-induced damage. The phanerogams used were collected 3-4m deep in La Habana's northwestern coast. Five experimental groups were created for the administration of the treatment. The effect was evaluated in in vivo assays, radiating the skin of the dorsal region of albino mice with UVB (dose: 1.21x10(3) Jxcm(2)) for six minutes. Before or after UVB irradiation, animals received topical treatment with the extracts at doses of both angiosperms 500 mu g x cm(2) on their skin. Significant differences were observed (P <= 0.05) between groups: T. testudinum, S. filiforme, irradiated subjects, and "placebo". T. testudinum and S. filiforme extracts reduce macroscopic damage caused by UVB radiation in irradiated skins on preventive and photodamage models. In addition, these extracts show protective and repair effects against UVB radiation damage, which could be related to their antioxidant action.